Accelerator pedal covers

Heedtheadvice

I am looking for a method to increase the 'height' of the pedal to bring it closer to my foot and am looking for ideas. - or a car that is a better driving position.

I have a Focus and the pedal is depressed with respect to the brake and this causes a problem with my driving position that leads to a back pain problem. Generally the Ford cars have good driving positions/ergonomics and most drivers will not notice a problem at all, however I can assure you that there is a problem for me and I wish to maximise comfort and also safety. Lifting my foot from accelerator to brake is easy but does cause post driving pain. The source of the problem (pedal position) has been confirmed for me by a Physio. Seat adjustment (fwd/back + height+ rake) cannot cater for best position of both clutch and accelerator.

Unfortunately both my partner and I hate automatic cars so that is not really an option.

This weekend I have been looking at other cars to see if there is a make/model that has pedals all in the same plane but no luck so far though a few are better than the Focus but most worse than desired.

Hence the idea to build up the pedal. Other thoughts are to modify the pedal (but that may be a non starter). Are there rubber pads that could be added as a cover or can the pedal be bent.

The car really is not at fault - I have a damaged back and fairly short legs- but the low pedal certainly does not help!!

Any ideas or constructive suggestions will be most welcome as the pain - although short term- is most unwelcome!

DaveTheMus

http://www.alfredbekker.co.uk/driving-aids/pedal-extensions/

Something like this might help

Heedtheadvice

Ta, that was quick DTM!

Ultrasonic

I don't know for certain but I suspect that the height of the clutch pedal is adjustable. I'd check before ordering anything to extend the pedals.

photome

Ultrasonic wrote: »

I don't know for certain but I suspect that the height of the clutch pedal is adjustable. I'd check before ordering anything to extend the pedals.

Not sure how adjusting the clutch pedal would help the OP.

OP if the pain is that bad I would get over your hatred of an automatic, that would be the most logical long term solution

those pedal extensions look like a recipe for disaster, ie looks like your foot could get caught between the origianl pedal and the extension

Ultrasonic

Obviously I agree that an automatic would be a better plan, and share the concerns over the pedal extensions. My suggestion of adjusting the current clutch pedal height was as a simple and cheap alternative to the extensions, which is the route the OP currently wants to go down and so may as well be explored first I'd have thought? Although whether there is likely to be enough possible adjustment to make a meaningful difference is another question.

I have an aversion to automatics as well, but for what it's worth I think I'd overcome this if it was physically painful to drive a manual.

rs65

Try here

http://www.motability.co.uk/cars-and-wavs/adaptations-and-adjustments/types-of-adaptations

photome

Ultrasonic wrote: »

Obviously I agree that an automatic would be a better plan, and share the concerns over the pedal extensions. My suggestion of adjusting the current clutch pedal height was as a simple and cheap alternative to the extensions, which is the route the OP currently wants to go down and so may as well be explored first I'd have thought? Although whether there is likely to be enough possible adjustment to make a meaningful difference is another question.

I have an aversion to automatics as well, but for what it's worth I think I'd overcome this if it was physically painful to drive a manual.

The problem with your suggestion is that the OP is having problems with the differing heights of the accelerator and brake, not the clutch.

But yes I am with you, if it was painful to drive a manual I would have no hesitation in opting for an automatic

Ultrasonic

photome wrote: »

The problem with your suggestion is that the OP is having problems with the differing heights of the accelerator and brake, not the clutch.

I've re-read the OP and I still think the issue is with the clutch but it is a little unclear.

System

Ultrasonic wrote: »

I've re-read the OP and I still think the issue is with the clutch but it is a little unclear.

What is unclear about

pedal is depressed with respect to the brake and this causes a problem with my driving position

Ultrasonic

!!!!!! wrote: »

What is unclear about

pedal is depressed with respect to the brake and this causes a problem with my driving position

The question is whether the pedal being referred to is the clutch or the brake.

I agree it could be either, the OP isn't clear. Although I am now leaning towards thinking it may be the accelerator as you and Photome are suggesting.